Pause control system for dictation reproducing machines



June 16, 194-2. p CLAUSEN 2,286,345

PAUSE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DICTATION REPRODUCING MACHINES Filed Jan. 5, 1941 hhM H- INVENTOR Henry R clause? Patented June 16; 1942 PAUSE common SYSTEM FOR DICTATION nmonucmo moms z Henry P. Ciauscn, White Plains, N. Y., assignor to The Gray Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application January 3, 1941, Serial No. 372,912 9 Claims. (Cl. 214-9) This invention is specifically concerned with improvements in machines for reproducing for the purposes of transcription, dictated matter recorded on record tablets.

An object of the invention is the provision of a control 'system for such transcriptionmachines in the form of a separate unit which may be readily associated with various forms of transscription machines, that is, machines for reproducing, for purposes of transcription, sound records by means of which the rate of sound reproduction may be simply predetermined and then automatically attained.

The more detailed objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the single embodiment thereof diagrammatically illustrated in the attached drawing and described below in detail for the purpose of disclosing the nature and scope of the invention.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement, and relative location of parts, alias will be explained in full detail hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing, the single figure is a diagrammatic illustration of an assemblage of elements embodying the novel functions and features of thisinvention.

In the every day use of sound reproducing machines for reproducing recorded dictation for the purposes of transcription, it is desirable, if

not necessary, to provide mechanism which will permit the transcribing operator to start and stop graphic or typed. For this reason such systems.

are obviously far from convenient and eflicient.

Systems have been devised where after. the transcribing machine has been started it will stop automatically after reproducing a given unit of words, but in such systems it is necessary for the operator to again startthe machine after having transcribed the reproduced matter. This is obviously inconvenient and time consuming. Other systems have been incorporated directly in the machine as apart thereof, by means of which the machine automatically starts and stops so as to reproduce a given unit of words and then to stop for a given period oftime, after which it again automatically goes into operation. Such a system is inflexible in that it is not adapted to the varied abilities of the transcribers which may use it, so that it may slow up their work. Another disadvantage is that such arrangements are incorporated in as a .part of the transcribing machine, and hence are not available for use with other machines.

Speaking in general in accordance with this invention, the pause control mechanism is a separate unit which may be used witha number. of' machines and adapted to use therewith. In addition it is so constructed that the rate of reproduction may be varied to suit the varied capabilities of the different transcribing operators who may use it, and as to particular transcribers it is adapted to easy variation in the rate of sound reproduction to accommodate it to the nature andcomplexity of the subject matter being transcribed. The mechanism of this invention need only be interconnected with the starting and stopping control circuits of the ma:- chine to convert that machine to an automatically operating mechanism variable as to the'rate of reproduction.

The transcribing machine diagrammatically illustrated herein is similar in type to that disclosed in the co-pending application of Barton A. Proctor and Ferdinand C. W. Thiede, Serial No. 218,082, filed July 8, 1938. As illustrated in the drawing, the machine includes a rotatable spindle I, having a notched or suitably shaped end 2 on which the record tablet 3 is impaled so as to be keyed thereto for rotation with it. The record tablet may be of any suitable form but is preferably in the form of a disc of thin cellulose acetate, smooth on both sides, and having a central opening complementarily shaped to the end 2 of the shaft I so as to fit snugly thereon.

The spindle I is journalled in a carriage 4 which is mounted for sliding movement on a pair of rods or rails (not shown) so that it may be moved back and forth. Secured to the shaft l is a worm (not shown) adjacent the periphery thereof, is engaged by the stylus of a sound pick-up or-reproducing device l0, illustrated in the drawing as being of the piezoelectric crystal type.- In practice this pick-up device will be connected to a loudspeaker or head set through a suitable amplifying system.

The drive wheel ll, mounted on a shaft to be driven from any suitable power source, engages the under surface of the disc 3. Mounted above it is a friction wheel l2 which moves down to engage the upper surface of the disc 3 above the drive wheel Ii when themachine is to be operated so as to press the disc 3 against the rotating drive wheel II and thereby cause it to rotate. It is by this rotation of the disc 3 that shaft 6 is rotated through spindle l and worm 6, and the whole assembly is caused to translate longitudinally of the shaft 6 as the disc revolves.

The friction wheel I2 is secured on a shaft l3 which is mounted in any suitable form of journal support in 'such away that the shaft and wheel can be moved so that the wheel engages or disengages the disc 3. As diagrammatically illustrated, the shaft I3 is mounted in a fixture which is supported by a pair of plungers which are part of the electromagnetic solenoids l4 and I5. When solenoid I5 is energized wheel [2 moves to engage disc 3 and when solenoid I4 is enersolenoid I4 is connected by wire i9 'to a contact and by Wire 2| to the movable blade of pause determining switch 22. Contact 20 is positioned so as to be engaged by shaft I 3 when wheel I2 engages the disc 3. The other terminal of solenoid I5 is connected by wire 23 to contact 22 and by wire 23 to switch 24 of a relay switch the fixed contact of which is grounded. Contact 22 is positioned as shown to be engaged by shaft l3 when the friction wheel I2 is out of engagement with the disc 3. r a

An electromagnet 25 controls the operation of the pawl 9 and has one terminal connected to wire l8 and the other connected to ground by wire 26 through the switch 21 of the relay of which the magnet 34 is a part. Wire 26 may also be connected to ground through a switch 30 which may be termedthe back-spacing switch. Shaft 13 may be connected to ground through wire 28 and switch 29, which switch is the startstop switch. Wire I8 is connected by wire 3| through a switch 32 which is the main switch for the entire pause control mechanism. The

33 to one terminal of the magnet 34, one terminal of the magnet 35, and one terminal of the magnet 36. The other terminal of magnet 36 is connected by wire 31 to a'grounding switch 38 forming part of the relay 34. The remaining terminal of magnet 34 is connected to the terminal contact at the right hand end of the set of contacts controlled by switch blade 44.

Switches 24, 21 and 38, all part of the relay I fixed contact of this switch is connected by wire areas 34, are open when the magnet of the relay is deenergized. The other terminal of magnet 36 is intermittently connectable to ground through wire 33 and switch 4|. Switch 46 is intermittently opened and closed at regular time intervals by means of a timing device 4| which may consist of a power driven cam, as illustrated.

At 42 is a ratchet wheel, mounted on a shaft or pivot pin for rotation thereon. This ratchet wheel is, connected by a spring 43 to the fixed shaft or pivot pin. A'contact arm 44 is connected to the ratchet wheel mechanically and engages the ratchet wheel 42 and prevents counter-clockwise rotation thereof. A pivoted pawl 46 is operated by electromagnet 35 so that for each energization of this magnet the pawl will move the ratchet wheel 22 one step in a clockwise direction and with it the switch blade 44.

The operation of this system will now be described in detail. The operator places a record disc 3 on the spindle I, as previously described, raises nut I out of engagement with the shaft 6 and shifts it and the carriage 4 to the extreme right. Nut 1 is then engaged with the threaded shaft 6 and reproducer I0 is moved down to engage the innermost convolution of the spiral record groove on the disc 3. The machine is now ready for operation.

Assuming the main power switch I1 is closed, in order to start the machine the transcriber momentarily closes switch 29. This completes a circuit from ground through wire 28, shaft l3, contact 22, wire 23, solenoid l5, wire I8, closed switch I! and power source l6 to ground. The energization' of the solenoid l5 pulls the wheel i2 into engagement with the disc 3.' When shaft i3 is operatedby either of the magnets I 4 and I5, it remains in the position to which it is operated until the other of these magnets is energ'ized, when it is moved to its other position.

.nected to the pick-up device Hi. If the transcriber is able to transcribe the dictation at this rate of speed, which will be the same rate at which the recording was made, the pause control apparatus need not be used.

At any time the transcriber may back-space the machine to repeat previously reproduced portions of the record by successively closing switch 30 to repeatedly energize the magnet 25 so as to cause pawl 3 acting through the ratchet disc 8 to rotate shaft 6 in the reverse direction. In

this reverse movement the carriage 4 is moved back in successive steps but preferably the disc 2 tion of the reproduction for switch arm 44 to is not caused to revolve in the reverse direction. The stylus of the reproducer simply skips in a radial direction one groove at a time for each closing of the back-spacing switch 30. Thus desired portions of the record may be repeated. If the machine is reproducing at too rapid rate to the right, say for example five steps, so as to leave it in engagement with the centermost contact of the associated group. Switch 32 is closed and the timer M is put into operation which may, as is obvious, be also controlled by switch 32 to cause this result.

In a preferred embodiment of the machine the cam of the timer will revolve sixty (60) times per minute, it being observed that the average rate of dictation is about 60 words per minute, or,

one word per second. Each time that switch it closes a circuit is completed to the magnet 35 from ground through switch 48, wire 89, magnet 35, wire 33, switch 32, wire 3!, switch H, and current source it to ground. For each energization of the magnet 35 the pawl 56 moves ratchet wheel t2 and switch arm 5% one step in a clockwise direction. Thus after five pulses a switch blade id will engage the centermost contact of its associated group and complete a circuit from ground through switch blade dd, wire M, interconnecting this contact with that of the other group, switch blade 22, wire 2|, wire l9, solenoid it, wire it, switch H, and current source 1 for the transcriber, she moves the switch blade 22 by another interruption by the energization of magnet 3t which in the meantime has releasedswitches 24, 21 and 38 so that their circuits are broken. Contacts 20 and 22 are provided, as will be seen, so that when contact 22 is closed the machine which is then at rest may be started up by the starting switch 29 and if the machine is running the closure of switch 2% will complete a circuit through contact 20 to solenoid It to energize it and stop the machine. Stopping of the machine as herein referred ,to

means stopping of the rotation of disc 3, the rotation of the drive wheel ll being controlled in any suitable manner, as by means of the initial It to ground. Thus solenoid it will be energized,

raising the friction wheel l2 out of engagement with disc 3 which then stops its rotation. With the timing illustrated it will be seen that this will occur after five seconds of dictation. When shaft It moves upwardly it engages contact 22.

While the transcriber is completing the transscription of the words reproduced during the five seconds above mentioned, switch is continuing to be closed and therefore pawl 46 is continuing the clockwise step by step movement of the switch blade 44. When that switch blade reaches the contact at the extreme right of the associated group, a circuit is completed from ground through switch blade 48, to magnet 34, wire 33, switch 32, wire 3|, switch l1, and currentsource It to ground. This causes the energization of the magnet 36 which is of the slow release type, so that switches 24, 21 and '38 are closed and held closed for a suitable length of time.

The closing of switch 38 completes a circuit from ground through wire 3! and magnet 36 back to wire 33 so that latch pawl is moved out oi engagement with the ratchet wheel 42.

As the switch arm id moved from the position closing, for example, of the mainpower switch ll. If switch blade 22 is in the position shown in the drawing, and switches H and 32 are closed and the-timer is operating, the switcher-m 84 will step across its contacts, as previously described. When itreaches its contact connected to the contact which in turn is connected actuation of pawl 42 releases the'ratchet allowing spring 43 to snap switch blade 44 back to its initial position; pawl 46 normally not engaging the ratchet wheel 42 and therefore leaving it free for this reverse movement.

The closing of switch '21 has given one impulse to the back-spacing magnet 25 so that at the end of the five seconds of sound reproduction the sound record tablet is back-spaced one groove. The purpose of this is to repeat a short amount of the dictation reproduced during the previous five seconds interval so that the transcriber may connect up the thought of to Wire 48, the machine will stop. On the next impulse given by the timer, switch arm 44 will reach the last contact of its set and again start the machine. This would be the normal operation of the machine for an' operator who could keep up in his transcription of the dictation at the full rate of the machine. At this time the pause control mechanism is really of no use, and switch 32 might therefore just as well have been open. In the event, however, that the transcriber under conditions of transcribing at former speed has forgotten to open switch 32, the momentary stopping and starting of the machine will remind him of the fact.

From the above description it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the single embodiment herein set forth for the purpose of disclosing the nature and scope of this invention by no means represents all the various forms which the invention may take. I'do not, therefore, desire to be limited to the illustrated embodiment, but rather to the scope of the claims granted me.

What is claimed is:

1. Ina dictating machine, the combination with a record support, a reproducing device, and means for causing relative movement between said support and device, of means including a preselector for automatically initiating and inthe new five seconds of dictation to follow. At

ment shown, it took five seconds after interrupterrupting said relative movement during one cycle of relative movement between the support and reproducing device at successive intervals whereby the periods of movement and rest may be made equal or unequal.

2. In a dictation machine of the type described, the combination including a record support, a reproducing device positioned adjacent said support, means for causing relative movement between said support and reproducing device, means for controlling said means to cause the starting and stopping of said relative move-' ment, and preselector control means for said last control means for causing the automatic operaaaasu ation thereof at regular or irregular successive intervals of time. t

3. In a dictation machine of the type described,

the combination including a record support, a'

i means for controlling said last mentioned means to cause the beginning and ending of said relative movement, preselector control means for said last control means for causing the automatic operation thereof at regular orirregular intervals of time, back spacing means for causing reverse relative movement between said support and device, and means controlled by said preselector means for causing operation of said back spacing means at the end of each period of movement of the record support.

4. In a dictation machine of the type described, the combination including a record support, a reproducing device, means for causing relative movement between said support, and device,

means for controlling said last mentioned means to cause the begirming and ending of said relative movement, preselector control means for said last control means for causing the automatic operation thereof at regular or irregular intervals of time, back spacing means for causing reverse relative movement between said, support and device, and means controlled by said preselector means for momentarily energizing said back spacing means simultaneously with the energization of said first control means.

5. In a dictation machine of the type described, the combination including a record support, a reproducing device, driving means for causing relative movement between said support and device, electromagnetic start-stop control means for said driving means, and a preselector device for controlling said start-stop control means in accordance with the preselected conditions whereby the said relative movement may be automaticaly initiated and stopped at regular intervals.

6. In a dictation machine of the type described, the combination including a record support, a reproducing device, driving means for causing relative movement between said support and device, electromagnetic start-s'top control means for said driving means, and a preselector device for controlling said start-stop control means in accordance with the preselected conditions whereby the said relative movement may be autoing equal or unequal as previously matically initiated and stopped at regular intervals, the intervals of operation and inaction bedetermined by said preselector means.

7. In a dictation machine of the typ described, the. combination including a record support, a reproducing device, driving means for causing relative movement between said support and device, electromagnetic start-stop control -means for said drivingmeans, and a preselector device for controlling said start-stop control means in accordance with the preselected conditions whereby I the said relative movement may be automatically initiated and stopped at regular'intervals, said preselector means including a step switch and greens for energizing it at regular intervals of 8. In a dictation machine of the type described, the combination including a record' support, a reproducing device, power drive means for causing relativemovement between said support and reproducing'device, StGI'tyStOD control means for initiating and terminating said relative movement, and a preselecting mechanism for energizing saidstart-stop means to automatically start and stop the record support at regular intervals, including a step switch, electro-magnetic means for operating said switch including a timing device, and means for returning said step switch to an initial position at the end of a preselected period of time.

4 9. "In a dictation machine of the type described,

the combination including a record support, a reproducing device, power drive means for causing relative movement between said support and reproducing device, start-stop control means for initiating and terminating said relative movement, and a preselecting' mechanism for energizing said start-stop means to automatically start and stop said relative movement at regular intervals including a step switch, electro-magnetic means for operating said switch including a timing device, and means for returning saidstep switch to initial position at the end of a preselected period of time, and means for.caus-' ing said relative movement in a reverse direction and means controlled by said step switch for energizing said back spacing means simultaneously with each stopping energization of the start stop means. 1

' HENRY P. CLAUSEN. 

